Page 63 of Free

Angela shakes her head at him before glancing back at me, her eyes twinkling. “You’re glowing, by the way. I like this version of you.”

I shrug, trying to hide the way her words land a little too close to my heart. “I like this version of me too.”

Angela and Garrett exchange a look as they head down the driveway, the stroller crunching softly over the gravel. The sight of them—Garrett’s hand resting protectively on Angela’s lower back as they walk, her soft laugh rising into the evening air—fills me with warmth. I watch them disappear down the street, the moment sticking with me as I head inside.

The house is quiet, the late-day light slanting through the windows, painting the walls in amber. When I reach my room, I collapse onto my bed, sinking into its softness as the day plays on a loop in my mind. The memory of Nick—his touch, his voice, his smile—lingers like the scent of salt on the breeze. For once, my thoughts don’t spiral or dart away from the moment. Instead, they settle, basking in the contentment that feels new and yet deeply familiar.

This feeling, it’s the kind of joy I thought I’d forgotten how to feel. It’s not the shallow, fleeting rush I once mistook for love with Davis. It’s not the hollow echo of pretending to be okay.It’s real. It’s like standing barefoot in warm sand after a storm, feeling the sun return to your skin. It’s steady and certain.

A soft buzz pulls me from my thoughts. I reach for my phone, smiling when I see Mom’s name.

Mom

Just checking in, honey. It’s been a couple of days since we talked. You’ve been on my mind

I type back quickly.

Remember how you said sometimes our greatest challenges turn into our biggest blessings?

Her reply comes fast, laced with her usual humor and wisdom.

Oh, you mean the great truth about life everyone should learn so we can all approach things with more gratitude and less fear? No, tell me more

I laugh, shaking my head at her knack for calling me out.

Ha, very funny.

You were right. I was wrong.

Want me to put that on repeat for you?

I don’t need to be right, Charlie. I just need you to be okay. That’s the point of all the advice I give. It’s about helping you avoid the traps I fell into myself

I reread her words, her sincerity wrapping around me like a warm hug.

Well, I’m more than okay today

Would this sudden shift have anything to do with a certain Marine?

She knows me too well. I sigh, but the smile doesn’t leave my face.

Your ability to read me is spooky

Call it intuition, spirit guides, or just knowing my daughter. I’m happy for you, honey. You deserve good things

Nick is definitely one of the Good Things

Okay, here comes some mom advice you didn’t ask for, but I can’t help myself. You’re still raw from Davis, and Nick’s been through hell with his accident. Jumping into something new might seem like it’s fixing everything, but it might just be a temporary feeling

I drop my jaw as I read the text. Talk about conflicting messages! The bubbles are still bouncing, indicating she has more to say, but I can’t help myself. I reply before the rest of her message comes in.

Weren’t you the one who suggested I should stay with Garrett specifically to spend time with Nick???

I didn’t expect you to be waving the caution flag here.

It’s not a caution flag, honey. Just a gentle pause. Enjoy this time with him, but don’t move too fast. Give yourself a chance to really know what you’re feeling, to listen to any nudges of your intuition, and notice any red flags or true stop signs before you jump into this thing with both feet. Let this be real, not a Band-Aid that covers up the pain you’ve both experienced

I stare at the text. I get what she’s saying, and I know she’s right on some level, especially given how many red flags I missed—or did I see them and ignore them?—with Davis. But I also know that what’s happening between Nick and me is more than just a distraction. It’s real. It’s always been real.

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